Area notes

Jon J. Hoganson of Stillwater was among 24 practice groups and 22 attorneys from Winthrop & Weinstein, P.A. of Minneapolis recently selected by their peers for inclusion in “The Best Lawyers in America” by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, S.C.

Hoganson practices banking and finance and real estate law for Winthrop & Weinstein. The firm was listed as top in the state in the practice areas of arbitration, banking and finance law, government relations and municipal law.

Hoganson is among more than 100 attorneys in more than 25 practice areas at Winthrop & Weinstein.

Eye specialist to pay off bet

Dr. Alan Downie, retinal specialist at Associated Eye Care, will pay off a fundraising wager by having his 10-year-old beard shaved off today.

Associated Eye Care participated in the Sept. 23 Twin Cities VisionWalk benefiting the Foundation Fighting Blindness. Downie agreed to shave his beard if more than 30 clinic employees took part in the walk and they raised at least $2,500.

Associated Eye Care patients and employees more than met Downie’s goal. More than 70 people signed up to walk and they raised more than $3,400.

So at noon today, a Riverfront Cutters barber will assist Downie in shaving his beard at Associated’s Stillwater Clinic.

Agency hosts free breakfast Nov. 9

Community Thread is taking reservations for its Sixth Annual Connections Breakfast from 8 to 9 a.m. Nov. 9.

The one-hour event features stories about people helped by Community Thread’s programs.

Reservations should be made by Oct. 26 by calling Kristen Welch at 651-439-7434 or emailing [email protected]

Old Testament focus of conference

MAPLEWOOD — Dr. Walter Kaiser, distinguished professor of Old Testament and Ethics and president-emeritus of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Hamilton, Mass., is keynote speaker at the First Evangelical Free Church Bible Conference “Christ in the Old Testament” Oct. 21-22.

Kaiser gives his first presentation at 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Oct. 21. He also speaks at 6 p.m. Oct. 21 and 7 p.m. Oct. 22. There are question-and-answer periods after each evening session.

Kaiser’s topics are “Israel’s Return to the Land as a Sign of the Lord’s Return, The Arrival Day of the Lord,” and “Four Aspects of Messiah the Branch.”

The event is free and open to the public. The church is located at 2696 Hazelwood St.